Journey in Georgia including Svaneti

Tour program

Day 1

Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel located in ancient Tbilisi region.

Accommodation.

Free time for the evening.

Day 2

Tbilisi Sightseeing Tour

You get to walk on Shardeni Street; Visit Sameba Cathedral Church; Sioni and Anchiskhati churches; Narikala Castle; Visit the most spectacular sights of Tbilisi including: historical monuments and its surroundings, ancient and original streets of Tbilisi, unique area where three churches of different faith coexist - Orthodox church, Mosque and Synagogue; Open-air museum where you can see village houses similar to ones of the XVIII - XIX centuries; State Museum and Museum of art that has unique and valuable exhibits from excavations at the place of ancient European habitants, and many more.

Day 3

Tbilisi – Ananuri – Kazbegi – Gergeti – Tbilisi

Breakfast in hotel.

At the beginning the road will lead us to Jinvali water reservoir. Clear blue water with the background of green mountains looks amazing. 70 km from Tbilisi, on Georgian Military Highway, in an attractive location, on the shore of the water reservoir and at the confluence of river Aragvi and Vedzathevi, there is Ananuri Castle. This is the main reference point that guards the road leading to the ancient capital of Dusheti, centuries later it became the main road connecting Georgia with Russia. When you look at the old castle it looks like it grew out of the ground and took the entire space. We have only stone walls with the main quadrangle and several round towers, two domed churches, and few other buildings left from this huge complex. Atmosphere is amazing!

After we walk to mountains of Georgia and visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (2 hours to walk), built on top of ridge, at the foot of Kazbegi (5033m). It is an ancient spiritual masterpiece of mountain architecture, and it blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The church was built of stones 600 years ago and is one of the historical attractions and pride of the country!

Back to Tbilisi.

Free time.

Day 4

Tbilisi – Akhaltsikhe – Rabat – Akhaltsikhe

Breakfast in hotel.

City of Akhaltsikhe (old name Lomsiya) is administrative center of Samtskhe- Javakheti and Akhaltsikhe regions. It is located on the side of river Potskhovi, with an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. In sources, from the XII century, Akhaltsikhe was mentioned with its old name Lomsiya. In the XIII-XVII centuries, the city-castle belonged to Atabag Djakeli and it was considered as their ancestral possession.

In old part of Akhaltsikhe we’ll visit so-called Rabat and large castle, which centuries ago was the palace of the royals of Akhaltsikhe. The attractive part of Rabat is its ancient “Halls“. The Halls represent an ancient type of Georgian folk habitation. Roman chronicler described Georgian houses as halls with cover, so-called crowning, with wooden beams which are placed in a peculiar arrangement. If you look at the crown from bottom up, it looks like a pyramid. At the very top of the pyramid there is glass roof. The architecture of Georgian halls, as well as the decoration (ornaments and other figures carved on wood) proves the skill of our ancient masters and subtle, artistic taste of Georgian people.

Rabat is one big town in the city. Besides historical castles, in the complex you can see towers, churches, monastic cells and modern institutions of different types, such as tourist information center, restaurant, cafe, gift and clothing shops, museums, civil wedding centers and etc.

Day 5

Akhaltsikhe – Vardzija – Kutaisi

Breakfast in hotel.

One of the most impressive and enormous historical monuments in Bordjomi is Vardzia, cave monastery complex, cultural monument of the XII - XIII centuries. This is the proof of how strong and developed Georgia was in the XII century. Vardzia consists of 13 floors and the amount of caves exceeds 3000, where 5,000 people could live in. They had all necessary conditions for housing built in like: living cell, wine cellars, pharmacy, library and many more.

Kutaisi is located in the west of Georgia, on both sides of river Rioni with altitude of 125-300m above sea level.

Day 6

Kutaisi – Gelati – Bagrat – Sataplia – Kutaisi

Breakfast in hotel.

Gelati - medieval architectural complex is 11 km from Kutaisi. Gelati Monastery was named after Virgin Maria’s Nativity, and was found by King David the Builder in 1106, later they built two temples, a bell tower and academy there, the entire territory is surrounded by walls. For centuries, the complex was spiritual, cultural and scientific center of Georgia especially during its Golden Age. Gelati is the burial place of Georgian kings, among them is David the Builder.

The ancient castle Ukimerioni is without a doubt the oldest one in Kutaisi, even older than the city itself. Its main building is Bagrati Temple, built in 1003, it was a residence of Georgian kings during wars. The temple is situated on mountain, under the mountain river Rioni was running (now it slightly changed its channel), the slope was very high and steep, the temple itself was fortified so well that it was impossible to take it unless they had traitor in there, which happened several times. Today the temple is restored, but it still has no roof, therefore it is called “Open-Air Temple”. Around the territory you can still find preserved ruins, from the temple a gorgeous view of the entire city and its surroundings opens up. Bagrati Temple with its architectural and artistic values ​​plays significant role in the history of Georgia, moreover, the coronation of King David the Builder, the one who united Georgia that time, took place right in this temple.

Sataplia is nature reserve situated 10 km away from Kutaisi. Almost the entire area is covered with subtropical forest and many relic plants, 9 of them are listed in the Red Book. There were dinosaur footprints and remains of people from Neolithic period found at this nature reserve. Sataflia is located on mountain terrain where are many caves with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites that has been growing for thousand years. The pride of the reserve is the hall, so called "Stone Heart", as there is a huge stalagmite, with shape of heart. Next to it you see medical facility with fresh air that is good for health especially for people with bronchitis and asthma, temperature in the facility is 14 degrees constantly. In many upright cliffs you can find hidden nests of wild bees, which in fact is the reason why they named this place Sataflia, as “tafli” means “honey” in Georgian.

Day 7

Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Mestia

Zugdidi once was the capital of Samegrelo estate. Today, the city has partially saved its status. Main attraction of Zugdidi is the palace of Dadiani’s noble family. Although the palace with its beautiful park is dated from the XVII century, it still remains perfect look. There is a museum located within the palace which also deserves an attention.

Next we head to Mestia. On the way we visit a very interesting place - Enguri Stem, which creates a beautiful reservoir in the picturesque valley of Samegrelo and Svaneti mountains. It is the highest stem of this type in the world. Enguri Stem is situated on 271mt height.

By the end of the day we visit Svaneti, the area of glaciers and high mountains. In Svaneti they still follow ancient traditions.

Dinner and Overnight stay in Mestia.

Day 8

Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia

Breakfast in hotel

After breakfast we take jeeps tour to Ushguli. There you visit Church named after St. George (VII-XII- centuries), Svaneti houses, Ethnographic Museum in Ushguli and St. George church of Nakipari. Ushguli is the highest inhabited place in Europe (2200 m above sea level).